How to Use Keyboard Shortcuts

Method 1 of 2:

Windows

1. Understand how key shortcuts work. To use a key shortcut, you will hold down one or more modifier keys and press a letter (or another modifier key). Modifier keys include the following:^[1]
   1. Ctrl - Usually found on the left and right sides of the keyboard. The right Ctrl key will be just left of the arrow keys.
   2. Alt - Found on the left and right sides of the keyboard, farther in toward the center of the keyboard than Ctrl.
   3. ⇧ Shift - Symbolized by an upward-facing arrow, this key is on the left and right sides of the keyboard.
   4. Fn - The "function" key allows you to use secondary functions of other keys. Commands that use the function keys (e.g., F8) may require use of the Fn key.
   5. ⊞ Win - This key displays the Windows logo, and is normally in the bottom-left side of your keyboard.
   6. Arrow keys - While not technically modifier keys, the arrow keys can be used to select items.
   7. ↵ Enter - This key allows you to open a selected item. It's essentially a mouse left-click.
2. Use general key shortcuts to access Windows features. These combinations help you perform basic Windows tasks:
   1. F1 - Open the Help page. You must have Internet access for this. If your computer has an Fn key, you may need to hold it while pressing F1.
   2. ⇧ Shift+F10 - Bring up the context menu for a selected item. This is usually accomplished by right-clicking.
   3. Ctrl+⇧ Shift+Esc - Open the Task Manager.
   4. Ctrl+Alt+Del - Open the Windows Security menu. (works from XP to 10)
   5. Alt+Space - Bring up the current window's System menu, from which you can resize, minimize, maximize, or move the current window.
   6. Ctrl+Tab ↹ - Move through current window's tabs (e.g., in a browser).
   7. Ctrl+Esc - Open the Start menu.
   8. Alt+Tab ↹ - Switch between currently open windows, excluding the desktop.
   9. Alt+F4 - Close an open window or program.
   10. ⇧ Shift+Delete - Permanently delete a selected item. This will bypass the Recycle Bin, though you'll need to click OK to confirm.
   11. ⊞ Win - Open Start.
   12. ⊞ Win+L - Lock the computer. If your computer doesn't use a password, this will still take you to the user selection screen.
   13. ⊞ Win+R - Open the Run box.
   14. ⊞ Win+M - Minimize all open windows and display the desktop.
   15. ⇧ Shift+⊞ Win+M - Restore all minimized windows.
   16. ⊞ Win+E - Open File Explorer.
   17. ⊞ Win+Ctrl+F - Find another computer on your network (networked computers only).
   18. ⊞ Win+Tab ↹ - View all currently open Windows.
   19. ⊞ Win+⎊ Break - Open the System Properties window.
   20. ⊞ Win+⎙ PrtScr - Take a screenshot.
   21. Ctrl+F - Open a search bar to look for specific words or phrases on the page.
3. Use keyboard shortcuts to help with typing, copying, and pasting. There are several text-editing shortcuts in Windows that extend to most instances of typing, as well as file copying and pasting:
   1. Ctrl+C - Copy selected text. You can also use this to copy selected files or folders.
   2. Ctrl+X - Copy and remove selected text (known as "cutting").
   3. Ctrl+V - Paste copied text at the cursor. This also works with files and folders.
   4. Ctrl+Z - Undo the last action. Depending on the program, this command can be used multiple times to undo multiple mistakes.
   5. Ctrl+Y - Reverse the last undo. Depending on the program, this command can be used multiple times to revert multiple undo commands.
   6. Ctrl+P - Print your document.
   7. Ctrl+S - Save your document.
   8. Ctrl+B - Bold the selected text. This will work in Microsoft Office products and most email providers.
   9. Ctrl+U - Underline the selected text. This will work in Microsoft Office products and most email providers.
   10. Ctrl+I - Italicize the selected text. This will work in Microsoft Office products and most email providers.
4. Use keyboard shortcuts in File Explorer. There are a few keyboard shortcuts you can use to navigate in the File Explorer:
   1. F2 - Rename a selected item.
   2. F4 - Places the mouse cursor in the address bar.
   3. F5 - Refreshes the folder.
   4. F6 - Selects a different pane in the File Explorer window.
   5. Ctrl+A - Selects every item in the current window.
   6. Alt+↵ Enter - Open a selected item's Properties menu.
5. Use key shortcuts with the mouse. Most programs have an advanced menu that can be accessed using the mouse while pressing a key:
   1. ⇧ Shift + Right-Click - Shows a drop-down menu with extra options based on the item you're right-clicking.
   2. ⇧ Shift + Double-Click - Runs the alternate double-click command, which is the second option in the right-click drop-down menu.
   3. Alt + Double-Click - Open an item's Properties window.

Method 2 of 2:

Mac

1. Understand how key shortcuts work. To use a key shortcut, you will hold down one or more modifier keys and press a letter (or another modifier key). Modifier keys include the following:^[2]
   1. ⌘ Command - Located on the left and right sides of the spacebar.
   2. ⌥ Option - Located next to the ⌘ Command keys.
   3. Control - Located on the left side of the keyboard.
   4. Fn - Located in the bottom-left side of the keyboard. This key activates the alternative uses for the "Function" keys (e.g., F8).
   5. ⇧ Shift - Located on the left and right sides of the keyboard.
   6. Arrow keys - While not technically modifier keys, the arrow keys can be used to select items.
   7. ⏎ Return - Located on the right side of the keyboard. Allows you to open a selected item.
2. Use keyboard shortcuts for common actions. Instead of using the mouse or a program's buttons, you can use your Mac's keyboard to do things like copying files or text, and opening certain programs:
   1. ⌘ Command+X - Copy selected text or file, then delete it from the current location (also called "cutting").
   2. ⌘ Command+C - Copy selected text or file without deleting it.
   3. ⌘ Command+V - Paste a copied item.
   4. ⌘ Command+Z - Undo the last command.
   5. ⌘ Command+⇧ Shift+Z - Redo the last command if you used the Undo command.
   6. ⌘ Command+A - Select all items in your current folder.
   7. ⌘ Command+F - Open the search bar in a specific window, browser, or program.
   8. ⌘ Command+G - Find the next instance of an item (e.g., a word) you searched for.
   9. ⌘ Command+⇧ Shift+G - Find the previous instance of an item you searched for.
   10. ⌘ Command+H - Hide the front (currently open) app or program's window.
   11. ⌘ Command+⌥ Option+H - Hide all windows except the front app or program.
   12. ⌘ Command+M - Minimize the front window.
   13. ⌘ Command+⌥ Option+M - Minimize all front app's windows.
   14. ⌘ Command+N - Open a new document, window, or tab depending on the program you're using.
   15. ⌘ Command+O - Open a selected item (e.g., a file or folder).
   16. ⌘ Command+P - Print the current document.
   17. ⌘ Command+S - Save your current document.
   18. ⌘ Command+Q - Quit the front app.
   19. ⌘ Command+Esc - Open the Force Quit menu.
   20. ⌘ Command+⇧ Shift+⌥ Option+Esc - Hold for three seconds to force-quit the front app.
   21. ⌘ Command+Space - Bring up the Spotlight search bar.
   22. ⌘ Command+Tab ↹ - Switch to the next open app.
   23. ⌘ Command+⇧ Shift+~ - Switch to the next window of the front app.
   24. ⌘ Command+⇧ Shift+3 - Take a full-screen screenshot.
   25. ⌘ Command+, - Open the front app's preferences.
3. Make your computer sleep, log out, or shut down. There are several shortcuts you can use to lock down your computer quickly:
   1. Control + Power button - Bring up the Sleep/Restart/Shut down menu.
   2. Control+⌘ Command + Power button - Force your Mac to reboot.
   3. Control+⇧ Shift + Power button - Shut off your Mac's screen.
   4. Control+⌘ Command + Media eject button - Quit all apps, then restart.
   5. Control+⌥ Option+⌘ Command + Power button - Quit all apps, then shut down.
   6. ⇧ Shift+⌘ Command+Q - Brings up a prompt that, when accepted, logs you out of your account.
   7. ⌥ Option+⇧ Shift+⌘ Command+Q - Logs you out of your account without asking to confirm.
4. Use shortcuts to navigate the Finder. You can use keyboard shortcuts to perform several actions inside of the Finder:
   1. ⌘ Command+D - Duplicate selected items.
   2. ⌘ Command+E - Eject a selected drive (e.g., flash drive).
   3. ⌘ Command+F - Open Spotlight in the Finder.
   4. ⌘ Command+I - Display the Get Info window for a selected item.
   5. ⌘ Command+⇧ Shift+C - Open the Computer folder.
   6. ⌘ Command+⇧ Shift+D - Open the Desktop folder.
   7. ⌘ Command+⇧ Shift+F - Open the All My Files folder.
   8. ⌘ Command+⇧ Shift+G - Open a Go to Folder search.
   9. ⌘ Command+⇧ Shift+H - Open your Mac's Home folder.
   10. ⌘ Command+⇧ Shift+I - Open iCloud Drive.
   11. ⌘ Command+⇧ Shift+K - Open the Network window.
   12. ⌥ Option+⌘ Command+L - Open the Downloads folder.
   13. ⌘ Command+⇧ Shift+O - Open the Documents folder.
   14. ⌘ Command+⇧ Shift+R - Open the AirDrop utility.

Kareem Winters

Update 04 March 2020